Provides examples of how selected LTER-Europe member networks have approached different procedures necessary to establish and maintain an LTER network. Procedures include: building local support for a new network, establishing an agreement between partners, applying for membership of LTER-Europe/ILTER, establishing a network's organisational structure, creating a web presence, developing site and LTSER platform criteria, selecting sites and platforms, managing sites and platforms, managing data, a structure for LTER-Europe.